SKARDU: A TAPESTRY OF CULTURES IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAINS

 

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Skardu, nestled in the majestic mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, may be smaller than its bustling counterparts, but it boasts a vibrant cultural tapestry.  Despite its size, Skardu finds itself embraced by a multitude of people from various backgrounds and ethnicities.  The Balti people form the historical foundation of the city, but a significant number of Shina speakers also call Skardu home. This rich diversity extends to language, with various linguistic communities adding to the city's charm.

However, Skardu's growth has come with its share of challenges. As the population steadily increases, so do the city's struggles. Water scarcity and a lack of reliable electricity are two of the most pressing issues facing Skardu's residents, as social media commentary often highlights...

A CITY FORSAKEN BY FORTUNE:

Skardu stands as a testament to misfortune, its poverty visible for all to see. The mighty Indus River flows by its feet, nourishing countless cities across Pakistan. Yet, this river seems to have no use for Skardu. Despite being surrounded by rivers and mountains; the city remains deprived of electricity. Throughout the year, the city plays a game of hide-and-seek with electricity. Now, even this game has become feeble. In winters, the city receives a mere two hours of electricity, while in summers, it is six hours at most. As I write this, the city has just been graced by the presence of electricity. After a day of listening to the sounds of snowfall, we are finally blessed with the sight of electricity.

UNPLANNED CONSTRUCTION: A THREAT TO SKARDU'S FUTURE

The unbridled growth of construction in Skardu poses a serious threat to the city's future. Buildings are springing up without any regard for order or planning. Fields that once yielded crops are now filled with new houses, tourist resorts, and industrial complexes. It is not far-fetched to imagine a day when the city will be a concrete jungle, and its inhabitants will yearn for even a glimpse of greenery.

Currently, there are still some trees in the city. But if the construction spree continues and the trend of migration from rural to urban areas persists, these trees will also disappear. The result will be a polluted environment and a clear impact of climate change, exacerbated by the city's growing population.

CLIMATE CHANGE: A CASE STUDY FROM SKARDU

The recent weather patterns in Skardu provide a stark illustration of the impact of climate change. In December, January, and February, the city experienced neither cold weather nor snowfall. Now, in the spring season, snow has finally made an appearance.

Since yesterday morning (Friday) until this morning (Saturday), Skardu has experienced intermittent rain, which turned into snowfall late at night. The rain was of a peculiar nature, falling from the sky in the form of snow but transforming into rain as it hit the ground. This is, of course, because the ground temperature was cold enough to cause the snow to melt.

A LATE SNOWFALL: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

After a full night and day of snowfall, three inches of snow had accumulated. But the next day, the bright sun quickly melted away what little snow remained. If we ignore the effects of climate change, we can consider this snowfall to be beneficial. After all, the winter had been dry and unseasonably warm. Looking at the situation for the entire season, it seemed that the current year would pass without any snowfall. All fears and predictions were proven wrong when it started to snow heavily in late February. The educational season was about to begin, and the "migratory birds" were also starting to arrive. Suddenly, the snow began to fall, as if to warn us that "our arrival should not be confined to any particular season or month." We can even arrive in July or August.

In any case, considering the drought and climate change, this snowfall should not be considered anything less than a blessing. Otherwise, we would have faced a severe water shortage in the summer, and even the little hope of electricity supply would have been lost.

A CITY IN DECLINE:

I am concerned that this city, which is of international importance, is neither equipped with facilities nor is it being managed in an orderly manner. It is a matter of great concern for us that instead of improvement, we are seeing signs of deterioration year after year.

I have been in this city since 2018, and from then until now, in 2024, the decline, dilapidation, water scarcity, and lack of electricity have been increasing. We all need to think that this beautiful city, which has embraced us all in its bosom, may God forbid, face a major problem.

We have to play a real role in all matters, from individuality to collectivity. This role can be manifested in the form of cleaning the city, taking care of order and organization in construction, encouraging tree planting, and avoiding unnecessary waste of water (if available). We cannot be irresponsible and put the responsibility on each other's shoulders. If electricity is not available, we will have to look for an alternative way, and that way can be solar systems. Obviously, we cannot keep crying about the lack of electricity and water all the time. If we fulfill our full responsibility and keep the sense of nationhood and community in mind, we can all play an effective role in the development and civilization of this city. May Allah Almighty keep this city safe and secure forever. Amen.

Dated: March 4, 2024